Please review GaragePlansPlus.com

barnplan · #1 (**permalink**) 10-17-2005, 04:48 PM

Hello

I would like to thank everyone in advance for there time to do this.

My newest site www.garageplansplus.com has been up running since last year & I'm still not getting any more than 100 user sessions a day on it. THe bad thing is the site has the largest collection of garage plans anywere, this I would have thougt would al least make some movement.

What am I missing?

Thanks
Charles

barnplan · #2 (**permalink**) 10-19-2005, 08:52 AM

Is my site that bad that no one will even commet on it?

MuNKyonline · #3 (**permalink**) 10-19-2005, 09:17 AM

Your site is almost there. You have no visual identity - you need a logo. Your page is too wide, you have a horizontal scrollbar that never looks good. I would reduce the width of your content. I like the navigation but I think the text would look better if it was left aligned. Plus look at your competitors websites, see what they have to offer and if they have anything you don't.

JuniorOnline · #4 (**permalink**) 10-19-2005, 11:16 AM

Hiya

I totally agree with MuNKy - all valid points mentioned. I also would do the following:

what is the main keywords you wish to target? have you included them in your (title) on each page? did you optimise the (title tags) in html as well? I found from experience that these 2 things are linked to boost a certain page on a website.

- font is too big and in bold. are you trying to emphasise everything? I would recommend verdana at smaller size - its much easier for reading pages.

Hope this was helpful

thanks
T

barnplan · #5 (**permalink**) 10-19-2005, 11:21 PM

Thanks

I will reduce the font today. Also I did all 345pages before I did any tags of keywords opt. for them. Now I am having to go back and opt each page for a set of keyword.

I will also drop the size back.

Thanks
Charles

We have been using webpostion gold for a while on the other site. What do most other people use or is there something better?

JuniorOnline · #6 (**permalink**) 10-20-2005, 10:39 AM

never heard of it :) sorrry

MuNKyonline · #7 (**permalink**) 10-20-2005, 11:21 AM

You might want to ask in another forum about that one. I dont really bother with SEO to a massive degree.

MarcieZoob · #8 (**permalink**) 10-20-2005, 05:36 PM

When you get into your interior pages, some of the navigation links take you to pages that cannot be found or pages with broken links and images. On many of the interior pages, your leftside navigation disappears - keep navigation the same and easy to use on every page.

The site could use a little graphical interest and maybe some nice garage photos.

msadmin · #9 (**permalink**) 10-20-2005, 07:17 PM

I couldnt find the place to get a hold of you via the web, email address or anything ...

ecampsite.co.uk · #10 (**permalink**) 10-20-2005, 07:22 PM

dont know whether your servers playing up but im on a T1 connection and it took nearly 2 minutes to load. Was very bored!

barnplan · #11 (**permalink**) 10-21-2005, 12:57 AM

2 min WOW I need to reduce that time down. Did any one else have any trouble getting it to load.

Also You are right i need to put my email address on the site in more locations.

I will get the inside pages links straight tonight.

THanks
Charles

JuniorOnline · #12 (**permalink**) 10-21-2005, 04:32 AM

hi again..

the right hand side rounded tables, are not right. there are spaces between the lines..(hope i am making sense there). I use explorer latest version.

your homepage (index) page - should really be more attractive and creative.. it is the centre of attention of any visitor. I would recommend removing the 2 tables on the right hand side where you have:

- Free materials list with every order ....
and
- Use our secure ....

they are below the fold.. and the page is empty, so no one really will be interested in scrolling down - although they are both 2 very important messages - include them in a footer (straight line) at the end of the page or something.

I really like ur site..very organised.. just needs these extra touches to promote your product more

Good luck

JuniorOnline · #13 (**permalink**) 10-21-2005, 04:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MuNKy

You might want to ask in another forum about that one. I dont really bother with SEO to a massive degree.

WHAT?? haha - are you serious?
what is the point of creating the most good looking website and end up having no visitors to it?

MuNKyonline · #14 (**permalink**) 10-21-2005, 10:49 AM

I really dont think its worth trying to get a good search engine rank for my site - you obviously disagree!

How would you get a good rank for a site that is for webdesign? Surely theres way too many sites out there to compete with?

Have a look at my site any suggestions will be appreciated =)

BTW, I need to update the site. The images are too large and some of the content needs to be changed.

JuniorOnline · #15 (**permalink**) 10-21-2005, 11:12 AM

I would highly recommend optimising your site to target keyword searches for your area. I checked in overture for keyword (website design) and for specific areas in the UK - it shows over 200 searches are done in one month. Have a look

there are people who specifically look for designers in oxford, or london or north of the UK - choose a segment and target it accordingly.

how do you advertise your website then?

thanks
T

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MuNKyonline · #16 (**permalink**) 10-21-2005, 11:45 AM

I dont, never had to! I've got work either by word of mouth or by speaking to someone and then finding out they want a website.

What I'll do is, I'll re-do the bits on my site that need changing and I'll post for it to be reviewed again and you can comment on how i've done =) It'd be good to learn about SEO I suppose!

Thanks for the link, that looks like a really handy tool =)